09/04/25 - #471

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• As the United States Passes a Tipping Point in Water Security, New Research Reveals That Millions of Americans Now Face a Growing Crisis in Accessing Clean, Affordable Water. The Study Demands That Policies Treat Water as a Basic Human Need and That They Prioritize the Needs of Those Most Affected

• Eli Lilly Hikes UK Price of Blockbuster Weight Loss Drug Mounjaro

• Shingles Vaccine Could Lower Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

• New Research Suggests That Exposure to Polluted Air May Raise the Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Autism. The Study Highlights the Profound Impact of Air Quality on Mental Health and Neurodevelopment

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

As the United States Passes a Tipping Point in Water Security, New Research Reveals That Millions of Americans Now Face a Growing Crisis in Accessing Clean, Affordable Water. The Study Demands That Policies Treat Water as a Basic Human Need and That They Prioritize the Needs of Those Most Affected

Millions of people in the U.S. are now struggling to get clean, safe, and affordable water, according to a new study from Texas A&M University and other research teams.

The study calls this problem a “peak water security” crisis. It says that having good water is no longer something all Americans can count on. Dr. Wendy Jepson, one of the lead researchers, explains that this isn’t just about broken pipes — it’s a human issue that affects health, daily life, and dignity.

Three major problems are causing the crisis:

• Aging water systems that break or leak.

• Climate change, which leads to droughts, floods, and other water problems.

• Slow government action, which means outdated policies and unfair systems remain in place.

Low-income families and communities of color are hit the hardest. They are more likely to face water shutoffs, drink unsafe water, or get left out of updates to the water system.

To better understand the problem, the team used a new survey tool called HWISE. It looks at how often people worry about water, use bottled water, or feel stress about their tap water. The goal is to guide smarter investments and fairer rules.

Experts are now urging U.S. leaders to treat water as a basic human need — not just a service. They say change is needed now to make sure every American has access to clean and affordable water.

“Always check your local water quality report. Your health may depend on it.”

Source: stories.tamu.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

Eli Lilly Hikes UK Price of Blockbuster Weight Loss Drug Mounjaro

Starting September 1, drugmaker Eli Lilly will raise the price of its weight loss drug Mounjaro in the UK. The highest dose will go from £122 to £330 a month—a 170% increase.

This price hike will not affect people who get the drug through the National Health Service (NHS). The new price only applies to private clinics and doctors, who may pass the cost on to patients. People using the NHS will still get Mounjaro based on medical need.

Mounjaro is used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It helps people manage blood sugar and lose weight. Other similar drugs include Ozempic and Wegovy.

Eli Lilly said it originally offered the drug in the UK at a lower price to avoid delays with NHS access. Now, they want to match the price to what other European countries pay. The company also said new studies show more value in the drug, which supports the price change.

A spokesperson said Eli Lilly will work with private clinics to help patients keep access. People getting the drug privately are advised to talk to their doctors.

The change comes during a global debate about drug costs. In the U.S., former President Donald Trump said Americans pay more for the same drugs. He pointed out that a friend got Mounjaro much cheaper in the UK. Drug companies are now trying to make prices more equal between countries.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Always talk to your doctor about your treatment.

Source: euronews.com

HEALTH

Shingles Vaccine Could Lower Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Getting the shingles vaccine might do more than prevent a rash—it could also help lower your risk of heart problems.

A new study looked at data from 19 earlier studies. It found that adults who got the shingles vaccine were 18% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke. For people age 50 and older, the risk was 16% lower.

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It can cause a painful rash with blisters that may last for weeks. Earlier research showed that shingles may raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. Scientists believe this may be due to swelling (inflammation) that harms blood vessels.

This new study suggests the vaccine may help lower that risk. It didn’t matter which type of shingles vaccine people got—both types showed similar results.

The drug company GSK, which makes one shingles vaccine, helped pay for the study. The results have not yet been reviewed by outside experts. Also, most of the data came from observational studies. This means the study shows a link but cannot prove the vaccine caused the lower risk.

Still, doctors say the results are encouraging. The shingles vaccine might help with more than just preventing infection. Some studies even suggest it could lower the risk of dementia.

The findings were shared at a large heart health meeting in Madrid. If you’re over 50, ask your doctor if the shingles vaccine is a good idea for you.

Source: euronews.com

New Research Suggests That Exposure to Polluted Air May Raise the Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Autism. The Study Highlights the Profound Impact of Air Quality on Mental Health and Neurodevelopment

A new study shows that breathing polluted air may increase the risk of mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and autism.

Researchers looked at health and genetic data from over 400,000 people. They studied three common air pollutants:

• PM2.5 (tiny particles from smoke, dust, and exhaust),

• Black carbon (from car engines and burning fuel), and

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) (mostly from traffic and factories).

The study found that people exposed to more PM2.5 had a 26% higher risk of depression and were twice as likely to have anxiety. Those exposed to more black carbon had a higher risk of autism and attention problems. NO₂ was linked to a greater chance of both autism and schizophrenia.

The team also looked at brain scans. People with more pollution exposure had changes in brain areas tied to mood, memory, and focus. One part of the brain, the hippocampus, was smaller in those with higher pollution exposure. This may explain how dirty air harms mental health.

While the study focused on people of European background, the results suggest that air pollution could be a global risk. More research is needed in other groups.

This study adds to growing proof that clean air is important for mental well-being—not just for the lungs.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please talk to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about your mental health.

Source: psypost.org

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.